A Nation Is Born

The border is uncertain enough that both sides think they own the oil-producing Abyei region; a referendum that was supposed to decide in whose domain it lays still hasn’t been held. Northern troops have already taken over Abyei’s main town. The United Nations has deployed an Ethiopian peacekeeping force to the area. But no matter who gets custody of Abyei, the divorce between the two oil-dependent countries won’t be as final as the South wants it to be. South Sudan will own most of the oil—but the North will have the refineries, the ports, and the pipeline.

John Avlon calls South Sudan a "great ally" to the US. Daniel Larison counters.

(Photo: A South Sudanese waves the flag of Southern Sudan as others sit on a wall to watch the first international soccer game of the their country's national soccer squad in South Sudan's capital Juba on July 10, 2011. The home team lost the game with a score of 3-1. South Sudan became independent from the Sudan on July 9, and became the newest country on earth. By Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)